A long time ago in France...

From August 2000 to July 2001, I spent a year in France as a Rotary exchange student.

During my year in France as a Rotary exchange student, I began my commitment to foreign language education, international opportunities, and global education for all students. I have never stopped learning languages, nor advising any teenager within earshot about the benefits of foreign language and international study. Here are some of the answer to the FAQs about youth exchange from my old lady perspective. More exchange info to come!

How did you hear about the Rotary program?

I was involved in Interact Club throughout high school. Avon's Rotary and Interact clubs hosted an exchange weekend each year for area students from different schools to get together. I learned a lot from these exchange students and their positive experiences encouraged me to apply. In August 1999, I met with my guidance counselor to find out how I could transfer credits. My school was unable to transfer international credits for a Regents' diploma, so my parents and I decided that I should graduate early. I applied that fall (1999). The deadline was December 1st and the interview weekend was in January. I heard within a few days that I had been chosen to go to France.

How was your experience abroad? What was the hardest part about your exchange? What was your greatest lesson?

I always tell people that it is the best thing to do and the best time to do it. You don't have to worry about your grades, you make wonderful friends, learn a new language and it really prepares you to be independent and self-reliant during that year, college, and beyond. The hardest part was different on different days. At the beginning it was the language barrier---

I was tired all the time from trying to understand. My final host family was hard because they were really upper class and we had serious cultural differences in terms of class, and expectations about behavior that I had not experienced with my other host families. Most of the year, I also had bouts of homesickness. Being close with the members of my biological family made the exchange hard but it also really helped, because they were so supportive of my experience and everyone was always sending me mail and telling me about what was going on back home.

The greatest lesson I learned was about defining my identity and ideals. I learned to discuss politics, philosophy, and culture that year because I was always thinking about it, living it, and being asked about it. What did you learn from living with your host families?

I was the second exchange student hosted by my club, so there was still some novelty to it. There were many families who wanted to host, so I stayed with six different families. This is the exception to the rule. Usually rotary has you stay with three families. I think 3 or more is ideal because it really helps you realize that just like there is not a typical American family, there isn't a typical French family either. The host families I felt most comfortable in were the ones where I was treated like a member of the family. That is, they were warm and kind to me but also expected that I would help around the house, go to school and do my homework, and spend time with the members of the family.

PS - Whatever they say about the snobby French, it is not true! Almost everyone I met in my school, families, and community were warm, helpful, and welcoming and helped me learn and practice french.

Describe your academic experience while abroad. Did you really go to classes? Did you do the work?

I attended a French lycée. I went to class on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8-6 with a two-hour lunch break and on Wednesday and Saturday from 8-12. I went to class every day except when I was sick! I took philosophy, art history, English as a foreign language (and did the work in French instead), biology, applied art, history and geography, phys ed, and literature.

I did some of the work and participated as much as I could. I did not take very many tests. For my lit class, I got the book list ahead of time and my mom sent me the literature in translation so I could read both versions. I did a lot of art work but often slept through biology class. My teachers were for the most part very kind but I wish they had been a little more demanding or modified the assignments rather than letting me get out of them.

Did you learn the language? How well would you say you speak the language? What would have helped you become more fluent?

I had 4 years of high school French and had a good basis for the language on arrival. When I left France, I felt that I spoke fluently, but my writing was not very good. I could speak to anyone in the street but I didn't have the skills to write a good literary analysis... yet.

Did you travel independently or with other Rotary students while on your exchange?

I went to Barcelona, Spain twice -- once with my art teacher and fellow students to see the museums and draw, and once with my host family. I also took the Rotary Europe tour for ten days (Italy, Austria, Germany, and Northern France).

The best trips were little weekend excursions with my friends from school to their village homes (outside of the city or in the mountains) or with my host families to ski, hike, or see historical sites.

Did your parents or other family members come to visit you? If so, how was that?

My parents came at the end of my stay. They spent my last two weeks with me in France and then we took the train to Paris and spent a few days there. It was really great to have my two worlds meet. We had a big party with all of my host families together to say au revoir.

What was the hardest part about leaving France?

It was really hard to say good bye to everyone but I was ready to leave. It was nice to have my parents come; it brought some closure to the year. I felt like the tour guide getting to show them around. They really enjoyed seeing how independent I was and how easily I spoke French with everyone.

What do you wish you had done differently?

Watched less TV (even though it helped my French comprehension, taken dance lessons, done more sightseeing around my community. How did your exchange affect your educational path?

I applied to college before leaving so as not to have the hassle of applying from overseas. This was really a good idea! I got accepted to The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio and deferred my admission for one year. My college was really generous and deferred all of my financial aid and scholarships too!

When I entered college I didn't want to lose my french so enrolled in the first French literature class. I continued taking French and declared it my major as a sophomore. I wrote my thesis on the immigrant experience of West African women in France.

I took a year off and tutored migrant students after graduating, then got my MS in Education to teach French and ESL. How has your exchange changed your life?

Being an exchange student definitely changed my world view. I went from a small very predominantly white rural community to living in a fairly diverse French city. Being bilingual is an asset I wouldn't trade and has really shaped my identity as an adult. Most people who know me can attest to my advocacy for foreign language education!

Have you done more traveling or living/studying abroad since then?

My junior year of college, I spent fall semester studying sustainable development in Senegal (a former French colony in West Africa). This further broadened my world view and sense of privilege.

I spend a lot of time trying to broaden the horizons of my students because I chose to teach in a rural community much like my hometown.

What tips would you share to a high school student considering a year-long Rotary Exchange?

Apply and go, you will only regret it if you don't do it! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Why do you think Rotary is a better option than other exchange programs you know about?

Rotary is the best option because they have no business objective in hosting you, etc. Their only objective is your welfare. The Rotary community is always supportive of students and other Rotarians, even if they have never met you.

My happiness upon returning to my old stomping grounds. Perpignan, 2017.

Have you been an exchange student? What tips do you have for students thinking of studying abroad?